Few schools reopened in Maungtaw District

School children listening to the lecture of a teacher at a school in Sittway, Rakhine State. Photo: Min Thit

Only some schools can reopen in Maungtaw District due to ongoing security concerns. Even though Thadingyut holiday period has ended, many school doors remain closed.
“There are some challenges to reopen schools. The main reason is security, including security for the teachers. Meanwhile, all schoolchildren have not yet gone back their homes,” said Deputy Director U Thet Lay Oo of Sittway Education Office.
So far, 50 schools have been reopened while 365 schools are still closed since the violent attacks on border police outposts on October 9.
The Rakhine State government has planned to reopen 24 schools in Maungtaw Township, 26 schools in Buthidaung Township and 13 schools in Rathedaung Township.
According to the Sittway District Education Office, authorities are planning to assist schoolchildren who left their homes due to fear after the October-9 attacks in Rakhine State, to continue their education at suitable schools.
Authorities will hold a meeting with teachers on payday and will make arrangement to reopen remaining schools, said Rakhine State Social Affairs Minister Dr Chan Thar.
“We have an idea to replace female teachers with male teachers or to provide security to teachers on their way from their places to schools,” he added.
“The mental security of teachers is also important to teach schoolchildren in peace,” he added.
There are 1,361 teachers in Maungtaw Township, 1,299 in Buthidaung Township and 1,407 in Rathedaung Township.
There are 95,115 schoolchildren in Maungtaw Township, 69,246 in Buthidaung Township and 36,917 in Rathedaung Township.—Min Thit (MNA)